David Toms

Inside the Ropes:
Sprinting to the Finish

By Joe E. Cervi, Rockiesgolf.com Columnist

The International, Colorado's only stop on the PGA Tour each year, ended its relationship with Sprint and is courting several name sponsors. As for the tournament itself, the International of 1999 was both good, and bad.

First the good: The tournament boasted the best field in its 14-year history. Nine of the top 10 players in the world were in Castle Rock and attendance was strong.

David Duval took time to spend with an ailing Nebraska boy and the meeting did both a world of good. Duval, a week removed from his public flogging about the Ryder Cup pay-for-play issue, talked openly and nearly brought a usually cynical press corps to tears. And Sunday, Duval nearly pulled off a victory.

Another bright spot was the Spanish shooting star Sergio Garcia. Fans packed the course during the practice rounds and pro-ams to get a glimpse of the 19-year-old phenom. He made golf fun once again.

Some of the negatives?

How about the winner, David Toms? He's a good, solid player, but, as one International put it, "He doesn't have the glamour or draw that a big-name player would have as a defending champion."

That means that the International staff will have to work as creative writers to pump up a champ that nobody's heard of.

Another negative?

	Tiger Woods

Tiger Woods, weary and worn from winning the PGA Championship, didn't make the Sunday cut. Television ratings weren't as high as in year's past, and Woods' early departure had a lot to do with that.

Another negative is next year's date, Aug. 3-6. That would be the earliest the tournament has ever been played and it poses numerous problems (weather, the World Golf events and majors schedule) for organizers.

Go West, or Go Home

Pueblo West Golf Course, opened in the prairies near the Pueblo Reservoir back in 1972, might be returned to the very weeds in which it was born. Course owner Stacey Hart, a professional golfer and course developer in Denver, is rumored to be closing the doors at the course Jan. 1.

Hart, who didn't return phone calls, is at odds with the Pueblo West Metropolitan District over a proposed development where the current driving range exists. The people in Pueblo West are worried about drainage, among other things, and have fought Hart's company at every turn.

Hart could proceed with the project, but the Metro District said that it won't provide water. Many of the residents around the course have also voiced (loudly) their concerns and objections.

Hart's staff has informed members at Pueblo West, which is a municipal course more than 7,000 yards long, that come Jan. 1, he will let it go to weeds. Either that, or he will sell the more than 200 acres of land off as housing lots.

Pueblo County commissioner John Klomp said the county would like to acquire the course and keep it running as is. The asking price? A cool $10 million.

Klomp said that although the county is in no position to write Hart a check for that much money, the county would like to find a way to take control of the course financially.

"It would be a shame to see that course closed down," Klomp said. "They (the new owners) have done a lot of work and it's in good shape. If we could find a way that it could be revenue-generating project, the county would take a serious look at it."

Stay tuned.

From the rough

In front of family, friends, members, and guests, Rick DeWitt of West Woods Golf Course ended 24 years of frustration to finally capture the 1999 CGA Stroke Play Championship at Lakewood Country Club.

Starting the day with a six-stroke lead over both Kevin Stadler (son of PGA Tour player Craig Stadler) of Bear Creek Golf Club and Jay Osmon of Great Sand Dunes Golf Course, DeWitt held on for victory.

DeWitt's final round score of 75 was more than enough for a two stroke victory and his first N.C. "Tub" Morris Trophy. Despite a four shot lead on the 18th tee, and despite having missed numerous final-day opportunities to claim previous stroke play championships, DeWitt insists he wasn't nervous.

• June 7, 1999: Inside the Ropes • Coverage from The International • Past articles by Joe E. Cervi

He had already conquered his 16-year demons, the Pub-Links and Low Amateur in the Colorado Open, and he wasn't about to choke now. He has no idea why the 3-wood that he'd been hitting good all week abandoned him on the 18th. But, with his son Tony still on his bag, they marched, albeit slowly, to that once elusive victory.

Colorado defended its 1998 title in this unique interstate competition by a final score of 918 to 933 against a team from Kansas. The flighted field for this two-day stroke play event consisted of top tournament players representing their respective associations in a gross aggregate team tournament.

Kansas player Sean Thayer, playing on his home course, defended his 1998 Championship Flight title by shooting and even par 72-72--144. Colorado players Michael Glaesel of Indian Tree Golf Course and David Delich of the Broadmoor Golf Club tied with Kansas player Eric Sexton of Flint Hills National GC at 149 for second.

Castle Pines Golf Club member Rick George came in at 150, one stroke ahead of Steve Newman of MacDonald GC, Kansas, and 1999 CGA Stroke Play champion DeWitt. Scott Peterson of Denver Country Club took the Masters Flight with a 153, two strokes ahead of Kansas' Martin Park of Tallgrass Country Club.

The Senior Flight ended in a five-way playoff, with Wes Duperier, also of Tallgrass, outlasting Colorado's Gary Potter (Denver Country Club), Jim Brown (Fox Hill Country Club), Jim Grubbs (Canterberry Golf Course), and Grant Maples Jr. (Meridian Golf Club) to take the title.

The Super Senior Division was taken by Hal Darden of Cheyenne Shadows Golf Course...DeWitt and Pueblo amateur Ray Makloski both qualified for the U.S Mid Amateur Championships.

Larry Webb, former Colorado Open winner and well-known Denver professional, won the Colorado Section PGA Senior Championships at the Pueblo Country Club Aug. 31-Sept. 1.

The 1999 Colorado State High School boys championships are Oct. 4-5 at South Suburban Golf Course in Littleton.